10 Things to Do If You Desperately Need Money

Rent is due. Student loan payments are piling up. There are groceries to buy and debts to pay, but you’re tapped out.

Sound familiar?

Running low on cash is always little daunting. In response, we often perform that delicate dance known as “Let’s eat in all week so we can afford our gas.”

When you desperately need money, that tactic is out the door, because there’s nothing left to barter. It can leave you feeling helpless, anxious, and powerless.

Today, we’re discussing 10 ways you can get the money you need immediately (and legitimately), so you can reset the balance in your favor.

Ready to learn more? Let’s go!

1. Get Rid of Something

This one is pretty straightforward. If you desperately need money, one of the quickest ways to get it is to sell or pawn something that someone else wants.

Start in your junk room. You know the one. See if there’s anything in there of substantial resale value, such as baby clothes or electronics.

Then, start looking at any other high-ticket items you could live without. Do you need that television in your kitchen? What about that baseball card collection collecting dust in your attic?

Post your wares in an online community selling platform, such as Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Etsy and closely monitor any feedback. You can also take the items to your local pawn shops and see what they’ll offer in return.

Remember, this is often the first route people take, but it’s also one of the most cut-and-dry. Once your items are gone, that’s it. Make sure you’re comfortable parting with grandma’s antique brooch before you sell it for $20.

2. Consign Your Clothes

Do you have a closet full of designer duds? Chances are, a consignment shop is looking for someone just like you!

Go through your closet and collect any items you don’t mind parting with. As a rule of thumb, if you haven’t worn it in a year you probably aren’t going to. Stick with top-quality pieces to boost your resale potential, and leave anything with a hole or stain at home.

Don’t expect anything close to a full-price reimbursement here. Still, it’s a solid way to earn some quick cash when you need it.

3. Get Rid of Unused Gift Cards

Sure, gift cards are a universally appreciated gift. That doesn’t mean that all of them end up in your purse. Rather, you likely have a designated gift card drawer where all the free meals, car washes, and trips to the mall find their fate.

If this is the case, sell them!

There are myriad websites that will buy them back at a discount, with some offering better rates than others. Do a little research, dig through that drawer, and see what you can get!

4. Sell a Talent

Another thing to consider if you desperately need money is whether or not you have a talent or skill that you can advertise.

Do you have a strong back and a rake? Offer to do a little autumn yard work.

You could always rely on classic door-to-door advertising to get the word out. Yet, one perk of living in the Internet Age is that we can now showcase our skills online, so hop on Craigslist or a similar site like TaskRabbit and describe your know-how.

You can also write a quick Facebook post detailing what services you offer. Your family and friends are great places to start!

5. Consider Being a Sitter

Whether your forte is toddlers or furbabies, you can often find a family in need of a sitter. If making money while snuggling a few canine companions sounds like a dream, consider working as a dog sitter or dog walker.

In the same vein, if you’re most comfortable around babies or small children, you may be a perfect fit as a babysitter or nanny.

Ask around and online to see if anyone you know is going on vacation soon and needs someone to watch their dogs. Or, see if any couples you know could use a date night away from the kids.

6. Visit Your Used Bookstore

Did you bring your textbook collection home from college? We don’t blame you — those things cost a fortune. Still, it’s unlikely you’re still thumbing through all of them daily.

If you have more books lying around than you need, take them to your local used bookstore and see how much you can get in return.

This doesn’t just apply to textbooks! Look for any old hardbacks, baby board books, paperbacks and more that you’re not using or don’t plan to read.

If you have a few minutes to spare, look up the book’s ISBN number online to see what it’s worth. That way, you can determine if the price you’re offered is fair.

7. Sell Your Plasma

While you won’t receive any money for donating your blood, donation centers will compensate you for selling your plasma.

In most places, you can undergo treatments twice per week, and make up to $50 each time.

The best part about going this route when you desperately need money? You’ll get the cash you need, and you’ll help out your local community in the process. Plasma can help treat multiple health conditions, from cancer to immune diseases, so give freely!

8. Hire Legal Help

Sometimes, when there’s nothing to sell and nowhere else to turn, it’s wisest to turn to a debt relief expert to help reduce the expenses you owe.

Debt settlement teams will communicate directly with your creditors to establish effective legal debt solutions that lower your payment obligations, reduce the impact on your credit score, and help get you back in the black.

Often used to settle credit card debt, these services can prove invaluable when you’re having a hard time coming up with funds to cover your bills. It’s also a quicker and less financially damaging way of dealing with debt than filing bankruptcy.

9. Get Paid to Grocery Shop

If you desperately need money, going to the grocery store might feel like a luxury. Yet, you have to eat, so while you’re at it, let’s talk about how to make those purchases work for you.

There are some apps, like Ibotta, that give you cash back on in-store and mobile purchases, including that Publix run.

Just snap a picture of your receipt, send in, and they’ll take care of the rest. You can even link your loyalty card to the app for the same functionality.

10. Ask Family and Friends for Support

No one likes to talk about money…unless they’ve got a lot of it.

Still, it can be helpful to reach out to family members and trusted friends if you desperately need money. Share your struggle and see if anyone is in the position to help out.

If you do receive financial assistance this way, be sure to keep written records of every transaction. This way, when you’re back on your feet, you’ll be ready to repay the favor.

How to Deal When You Desperately Need Money

If it’s true that money makes the world go ’round, then without it, yours crashes.

Almost everyone has been there, or close to it, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. With the right connections, a little gumption, and a few strategic downloads, you’ll be ready to tackle this challenge head-on.

For more tips on how to navigate all of life’s challenges and opportunities, head on over to our blog. We’ll help you take that next professional or personal step with confidence.